Across the various states, there is an alarming rate of deforestation and forest degradation arising from intensive logging for timber and fuel wood extraction.
This is the view expressed by Amina Mohammed, Minister of Environment at the celebration of the International Day of Forest in Abuja.
She noted that: “Many states now see the forests as main source of revenue generation and yet little or nothing is being ploughed back for forestry development.”
She also said that the activities of timber merchants (both indigenous and foreign), especially those involved in illegal logging, continued to worsen the situation and on daily basis, hundreds of containers of wood were carted away from forests across the country.
“Currently, Nigeria’s percentage forest cover is less than 6% as against the FAO recommended 25% of total land area. This calls for urgent attention,” she added.